Chapter 18 and 20 Analysis:

In Chapter 18, titled “War Stories From the Pacific Theater,” it first discusses the 12th

Century Javanese King, Joyoboyo. The author starts with a discussion about Joyoboyo because

he was known for his storytelling. In the 1940’s Joyoboyo’s prediction was proved right during

the wakes of WWII. Furthermore, the chapter goes on to explain the history of the Japanese

invasion and annexation of Korea during the late 19th century and early 20th century. After which,

the author goes on to discuss the 1st and 2nd World Wars, specifically in the Pacific. Because

Japan was such prevalent force in the Pacific during the World Wars, the author tends to focus on

what the Japanese actions were. Often times, the author points out the mistreatment of Women

during War time and how many women were sexual slaves for the Japanese. Later in the chapter,

the author goes into detail about the United States actions and how they fought for the allies of

WWII in the Pacific. When the U.S forces reach mainland Japan, havoc erupts and hundreds of

thousands of people die, eventually leading to the dropping of the atomic bomb and the end of

WWII.

Chapter 20 dubbed “Critical Mass for the Earth and Ocean” discusses the making,

testing, dropping, and effects of the atomic bomb. On August 6, 1945, “Little Boy” was dropped

on the city of Hiroshima and “Fat Man” was dropped 3 days later on the city of Nagasaki, ending

the Second World War. While the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan, Japan was not the only

nation that felt the effects. The United States dropped 67 bombs during the 1940’s and 50’s in the

Marshall Islands which negatively affected the people and wildlife near the Bikini Atolls because

of the radiation. From these chapters, we as readers learn how deadly war and nuclear weapons

can be.